Pre-election polls suggested that Swiss voters had three main concerns: Rising fees for the obligatory, free market-based health insurance system; climate change, which has eroded Switzerland’s many glaciers; and worries about migrants and immigration. The Socialists, in second, added two seats to reach 41 in that chamber, known as the National Council. In Switzerland, voters also participate directly in government decision making. The Swiss did line up with the EU in imposing sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. The Federal Council is considering whether to join the EU and the United States in labeling Hamas a terror organization.

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Persons: Pascal Sciarini, ”, “, ” Sciarini, —, Alain Berset, Viola Amherd Organizations: GENEVA, Swiss People’s Party, Swiss, Socialists, National Council, Christian, Democrat, Liberal, Greens, University of Geneva, “, SVP, Federal Council, Berset, Voters, European Union, —, Russia, Federal, EU, United Nations, Islamic, International Monetary Fund Locations: Europe, Greece, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Swiss, Brussels, Bern, Ukraine, United States